Originally Posted by dal20402

This. I just bought an '08 460 (which is testing my faith a bit because I have to pay for new front upper control arms, but checked out perfectly otherwise). There is no way I'd even consider buying an '08 S-Class.

Originally Posted by Tec80

I was stuck on buying a 2007 AMG S65 (looks like a great deal at 1/4 the price of new) until I lurked on the MBWorld.org forums a while and saw what went wrong with them (& how much parts cost, like the $750/ea. brake rotors). Then I switched the obsession to a 2012-13 300SRT8, but same reliability worries and too new to be at the optimal depreciation point. So, LS600hL was next. I found a CPO 2010 for $53k that ultimately sold for $50k - was haggling with the dealer when I found the 2011 CPO 460 Sport I ended up buying. I have a wee bit of coulda-shoulda for the LS600, it was really nice, in a unique color with Exec seating, matte wood, etc...but it's not too bad. I love the LS460.

Originally Posted by jainla

Agreed. The amazing thing about the LS sometimes isn't "wow this is amazing" but "why isn't every other car this good?". You start to take all of it for granted; then wonder why everybody else didn't think of that.



If i was buying new or leasing right now I agree. The W222 is really a step up from the last car; almost half a segment upmarket from the rest of the pack. The new design is a very nice upgrade; and the tech and amenities are first rate (although I might add it's taken them almost 7 years to add things my LS already has). I might even spring for the Maybach.

If I'm in for the long haul or buying second hand I still pick the Lexus for its higher quality and durability. And even now it's still a really nice car.

All this will change in a year when both the new LS and new 7 series are both available.

From everything I've read I would expect the following:

LS 500: powered by the ~460 HP RCF/GSF engine with some tweaks.
LS 600h: same engine + hybrid powertrain == 510hp.
LS 500h: either a smaller V8 with hybrid or Hydrogen Fuel cell powered car

LSF?: they'd be a little crazy not to consider this; but sales volumes might not support it. An F-sport for all above trims at least.

And what else? Maybe some crazy self-driving tech? Or kick *** accident avoidance? Crazy thin and light battery for the hybrid(s)? Who knows but I'm sure they'll have something to make everybody stand up and take notice. Improve and bring back the parking system please.

Reveal could be at the Tokyo Motor Show this fall (as a thinly veiled concept car) followed by on-sale next year sometime.

Then we'll see who's top dog; the game will change again as it always does.